Grandes High School (Leslie)

The morning air that enters the sidelines of the bedroom window feels so warm, making me increasingly lazy to get out of bed. The atmosphere of a quiet house without sound makes me feel comfortable and sleepy.

Kriiing ... Kriiing ... Kriiing ...

The loud sound of the alarm clock made me realize that it was time to wake up. Although reluctantly, I forced myself to get up from this soft bed. Then, I lazily walked to the bathroom and started my activities there.

When finished, covered only with a towel, I walked out of the bathroom to the wardrobe. I opened the cupboard door wide. As soon as the cupboard door opened, a school uniform was displayed there. The school uniform is pretty cute in my opinion. The top is a white shirt with a dark green bow tie. Then, the lower part of the uniform was a short knee-length skirt with ruffles all around, the short skirt was dark green the exact color of her bow tie. On the arm, there is an attribute that shows the name of the school.

I, who had finished putting on my uniform, stood in front of the mirror to see how I looked. I tied my hair up and felt my appearance was perfect. I took my school bag and left the room.

In this house... hmm... no... more precisely in this apartment, I live alone. Actually, since childhood, I lived with my parents. However, starting next month my father will be reassigned to this city, so we have to move our house too. Grandes City is the name of this city. A small town in the southernmost part of Arizona. When compared to Los Angeles which is my hometown, this city is very small and remote.

Since the school year started this month, that's why I moved one month earlier than my parents. As a result, I live alone in this apartment, yes, even if it's only for a while, but I feel very lonely.

To be honest, I can't cook at all, that's why this morning I can only have breakfast with bread and milk. After completing all the activities, I was ready to go to school.

I went to school by taking the public bus, incidentally, near the apartment, there is a bus stop making it easier to go to school. I didn't have to wait long for the bus to come. The bus drove quickly to take me to school.

It didn't take long for me to arrive at school. That's a natural thing because the location of the school is not too far from the apartment. That's the reason I decided to study here because it's the closest to the Apartment compared to other schools.

Grandes High School ... that's the name of the school and I'm a transfer student here because I started studying at this school in the second semester in grade 2.

I entered the school gate, this is the first time I set foot in this school. Apart from me, many students were passing by but none of them greeted me, haha... I guess that's a natural thing because none of them knew me. I walk around the road to class while looking at this school building, I feel that this school building is old enough which indicates that this school has been around for a long time.

It didn't take long for me to walk until finally, I arrived at a classroom that displayed a sign that read 'Class 2B' at the top of the door. Yes, in this class I will study. The door was open until finally I stepped into the classroom. There was a moment of hesitation about entering the classroom, but I realized that there was a condition where I couldn't run and had to keep going no matter what, and I was currently in that state.

I stepped into the classroom, all the class looked at me it made me embarrassed and nervous.

"H-Hello everyone. I'm a transfer student in this class. I..."

I haven't finished what I said but I immediately stopped it as soon as I saw the reaction of all the occupants of this class who turned their faces away as if they didn't want to hear any further what I said.

I looked around at the empty seats in the class until finally, I found one empty seat at the back. I walked towards the bench without caring about the occupants of this class who were staring back at me. To be honest, I feel uncomfortable right now, whether it's just my feeling or it's a reality, I feel that everyone's gazes are very sharp and sharp.

Amid the discomfort I was feeling, a teacher was seen entering the class, whom I just found out was named Mr. Wiston. He is our homeroom teacher. Mr. Wiston took one by one the students who were in this class until when my name was called, he seemed to realize something.

"Ooh, you're that transfer student huh?"

"Yes sir," I said, a little nervous.

"Come forward, introduce yourself!"

I've always been very reluctant to change schools. The reason is because of this. I hate the situation when I have to stand in front while introducing myself in front of this many people. But, once again I was in a condition where I couldn't run and I only had one choice, namely to obey Mr. Wiston's words and move forward.

After standing in front of the class, I saw everyone looking at me at this time. That of course made me even more nervous.

"Introducing, my name is Leslie Felicia. I'm a transfer student who will study with you guys from today. I'm not very good at getting along with people, but I want to be able to be friends with all of you. I also just moved to this city, so there are still many things I don't know. I-that's why I need help and cooperation from all of you. Please cooperate and help."

I said that while lowering my face. At first, I thought that everyone would agree with what I said, but what happened was something I didn't expect. Neither of them made a sound in response, making me feel very irritated to see that.

"All right, Leslie. You can return to your seats. Show your best performance in this school, OK?"

"Okay, sir."

Without waiting any longer, I walked quickly to my seat. This annoyance of course could not go away that easily. I don't understand at all why everyone in this class doesn't seem to care about me, making me feel uncomfortable on the first day of studying at this school. I became doubtful, can I survive studying at this school?

Just like yesterday, even today I feel uncomfortable studying at this school, none of my classmates talk to me as if I'm invisible in their eyes. I want to scream as loud as I can and let out this annoyance so they notice my presence. However, of course, I discouraged that intention because it was impossible for me to do it amid silence. After all, now learning activities were taking place. There is a teacher who is giving the lesson material.

Two hours of lessons seemed so long to me. When I studied at the old school, every day I had great fun. In the old school, I was so close to my classmates, that it felt like I was at school. Very different from my new school. After only two hours of being here, I already felt uncomfortable and wanted to go home quickly.

The teacher left the class after the bell for recess rang. I sighed, feeling relieved.

"Hey, you. Why are you sighing like that?"

I was surprised not to play when I saw three of my classmates already standing in front of me at this time. They were all girls and they were standing right in front of me who was sitting on the chair. They glared at me with their arms folded across their chests. Impressed arrogant and intimidating.

Don't you like being in this class?" one of them asked. I frowned, not understanding the direction of this conversation.

"N-no."

"Don't lie. Since your arrival yesterday, we noticed you don't seem to like us." Another girl joined in the provocation. I froze in place, not knowing what to do.

"That's not true. I...."

"Listen, transfer student. Don't act here. Don't put on annoying expressions like that, we all don't like you at all. We'll make sure you don't feel comfortable in this class!"

After saying that, they returned to their seats. I blinked a few times, still trying to process what had just happened. I don't understand why they treat me like this. What have I done to make them dislike me and want to kick me out of this class?

***

Their threat is not just a threat. Since those three people threatened me yesterday, they always play pranks on me. Once they put traces of chewing gum on a chair, so it stuck to my skirt. It took a lot of effort to get that gum stain off.

Apart from that, they also put a bucket of the dirty water over the door. So, when I opened the door, the bucket fell and soaked me. Everyone in the class laughed at me out loud. Seem to enjoy watching my suffering. The water was so smelly, I couldn't smell it so I decided to go home.

I didn't want to be seen as weak by them, and that's why I still went to school despite the immense anger in my heart.

I don't want to experience something similar to what I experienced in the previous days so now I'm always on guard. Before opening the classroom door, I always check first, nothing is stored above the door. And when I wanted to sit on the chair, I checked the chair carefully, making sure there wasn't anything stuck to it.

Today, I feel at peace because there are no disturbances from my classmates. I can concentrate on listening to the lesson.

"Mr. Zein!"

One of my friends named Tina, for some reason suddenly called Mr. Zein who was giving a lesson. That made all pairs of eyes turn towards Tina.

"What's wrong, Tina?"

"Sir, my wallet is missing."

Whispers suddenly sounded. I was no exception, all of the occupants of this class were certainly shocked to hear the news.

"Really? Try to find it first. Maybe it was tucked in your bag or you forgot to bring it to school?" said, Mr. Zein.

"No, sir. I'm sure I took it to school because this morning I still had my wallet. I looked in my bag too, but nothing."

"Since you arrived at school, where have you been going?" Mr. Zein asked again.

"Earlier I went to the toilet but didn't take my wallet with me. I kept it in the bag I left in class."

Mr. Zein was silent as if he was contemplating what steps to take next.

"Then... begging for your cooperation, we will search your bags one by one."

In the end, that decision was taken by Mr. Zein.

"OKAY, SIR!"

In unison, I and all my classmates replied to Mr. Zein's words.

Mr. Zein checked our bags one by one. So far Tina's wallet has not been found in any bag. Then, it was time for Mr. Zein to check my bag. I didn't feel panicked or nervous knowing the wallet wouldn't be found in my bag. The reason I can be this certain is of course because I wasn't the one who took her wallet.

"Tina, what color is your purse?" suddenly Mr. Zein asked so.

"It's pink sir," Tina replied.

"Is this your wallet?"

I was instantly wide-eyed. Mr. Zein took a wallet from my bag. The wallet is pink as Tina said.

"That's right. That's my wallet, sir."

Mr. Zein looked at me sharply and walked towards me.

"Why is Tina's wallet in your bag, Leslie?"

"I-I also don't know sir why that wallet could be in my bag," I replied panicked and confused. Why is that wallet in my bag?

"Don't dodge anymore, you've been caught red-handed, admit what you did." Firmly, Mr. Zein said that as if he accused me of being a thief.

"That's right, thieves!"

"Sir, just punish her!"

"If necessary, expel her from school, sir. We don't want to be in the same class as thieves!"

The voices were heard by the whole class. I'm hurt to hear that. I'm sure they did this on purpose, they put Tina's wallet in my bag on purpose. They did this for one purpose... to bully me and kick me out of this school.

Mr. Zein took me to the teacher's room and interrogated me. I keep saying the same thing every time Mr. Zein asks, my answer is still 'I don't know why that wallet got in my bag'. Mr. Zein looked annoyed to hear my answer. I feel like I never took the wallet, so no matter how many times Mr. Zein asks, my answer is still the same. I thought Mr. Zein would expel me from this school. However, in reality, he only scolded and warned me if I did this again, the school would report it to my parents.

After being in the teacher's room for a long time, Mr. Zein finally ordered me to return to class. All of my classmates were whispering about me as soon as they saw me coming.

"You shameless thief. Even though she's only been here for a few days, she already dares to steal."

"Yeah, shameless. I don't want to be in the same class as her."

"Yes me too."

"Me too."

My patience has run out. I could no longer hold back my anger so without realizing it, I screamed.

"It's enough!"

Everyone fell silent when they heard my scream.

"I know all of this was done on purpose to get me kicked out of this school, right? You just admit it!"

"Don't just accuse me, you cheap thief!!!" they shouted back at me with harsh curses. I already opened my mouth to reply, but...

Teng... Tong... Teng... Tong...

The bell that signaled the end of school rang. Everyone cleaned up their stationery and one by one they left the classroom. I saw Tina still cleaning up her stationery, I was so angry with her that I walked up to her.

"Tina, why are you doing this? You're the one who put your wallet in my bag on purpose, right?"

"Hm, if true, so what?"

Tina said that while glaring at me.

"Why are you doing this to me? What did I do wrong?"

"I don't like you, I want you to leave this school," she said curtly while pointing at my face with her index finger, really impolite.

Tina has finished putting the stationery into the bag. She got up from her seat and pushed me so hard that I fell.

"Don't get in my way! You cheap thief!"

After saying that in an extremely cynical voice, Tina left the classroom. One by one the students left until I was the only one left in the class. I walked unsteadily towards the chair. Now I can no longer hold back the sadness until slowly the tears start to fall.

"Don't cry! "

I flinched when I suddenly heard a voice from behind. I quickly turned around and stared at the source of the sound. I saw a girl with long hair standing in front of me at this time. Her skin is very white a her face that looks pale. Nevertheless, she is very beautiful. I've never seen her before, but how come she's in my class when I'm sure there's no one here but me?

"Wh-who are you?"

"My name is Celia Muran. I'm one of the students in this class."

"Haah? Really? I've never seen you before even though I've been here for almost a week?"

"I rarely come to school, my health is bad."

"Oooh I see, no wonder you look pale," I said while nodding repeatedly.

"Can I sit beside you?"

"Of course."

Celia pulled up a chair and placed it next to me, then she sat there.

"You're a transfer student, right? What's your name?" she asked.

"Ooh yeah, sorry I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Leslie Felicia." I smiled as friendly as possible for her, and she smiled back no less friendly.

"It seems you are also a victim of bullying in this class."

"Are you also a victim of bullying in this class like me?"

Celia shook her head in response to my question.

"I don't understand why they don't like me. Even though I try to be as friendly as possible to them."

"Never mind... you don't need to care about them." Celia's facial expression relaxed while listening to my complaints.

"But, I'm not comfortable being treated like that. No one wants to be my friend."

"I want to be your friend."

I flinched at her sudden reply. Although there is no denying how happy I am to hear it.

"Is that true?" I have to make sure once again for fear that my sense of hearing misunderstood her words.

Celia nodded, indicating that I did not hear wrongly. She wants to be friends with me.

I spontaneously hugged Celia as tightly as I could, wanting to show how glad I was that she wanted to be my friend. It was then, I smelled the fragrance on her body. Overpowering scent.

"Celia, your perfume smells so good."

"Did you like it?" she asked with a smile.

"Hm ... smells so good," I muttered while rubbing my nose with the back of my hand.

Celia still maintained her smile. She is indeed friendly. After I noticed, she seems to be quite a quiet person.

"It's getting late, time to go home."

I, who was watching the curves of her thin face, suddenly blinked as soon as she spoke again. I glanced at the left arm where my favorite watch was coiled there. That's right, without realizing it, it was already late afternoon.

"Yeah, you're right. Let's go home!"

I put my arm around her and pulled her up from the chair. Then walk hand in hand leaving the classroom.

"Tomorrow you will come to school, Celia?"

"Of course."

"In that case, thank God." A sigh of relief slipped smoothly from my lips.

We walked along the aisle for a long time, until suddenly she stopped, and I subconsciously stopped too.

"See you tomorrow, Leslie. I'm going that way."

Her index finger pointed in the opposite direction from mine. Directions to the back gate of the school.

"Oooh, you didn't pass to the front gate?"

Celia shook her head slowly.

"Okay then. See you tomorrow, Celia."

"Yes. See you tomorrow, Leslie."

We continue our steps toward our respective goals. I just remembered that I forgot something, forgot to say thank you because she wanted to be my first friend at this school.

I immediately turned around. However, I frowned in confusion when I couldn't find Celia's figure anywhere. How could she walk so fast to disappear in an instant? Amazed at first, I decided not to sweat the matter. I turned around and continued to walk away from the school.

Usually, I'm lazy to go to school. Today, it can be said that for the first time, I departed with enthusiasm. The reason is that I want to meet Celia soon, I finally have a friend. I smiled to myself when I remembered yesterday's incident.

The first thing I did when I arrived at the class, was to look for Celia's whereabouts. How relieved I was when I saw Celia sitting in the chair right next to me. I immediately approached her.

"Hi, Celia. Good morning." Whoa, cheerful.

"Good morning to you too, Leslie."

I realized that everyone was staring at us, and didn't like seeing my closeness to Celia. Of course, I don't care. Instead, I deliberately conversed with Celia. I ignore those who keep watching us. Finally, the entrance bell rang, and we were asked to go to the school garden by Biology teacher. Today's material will discuss examining plant structure, so we will learn outside of class.

As I expected, no one wanted to join me when the teacher assigned us to form groups. Only Celia would do research with me. Although from the start I was also not interested in a group with them. Celia's existence was more than enough for me.

When we were busy researching, suddenly my stomach churns. It feels uncomfortable. I crouched down restlessly while squeezing my knotted stomach.

"Why Leslie?" asked Celia who noticed my anxiety. I winced, feeling guilty that I had to leave her for a while.

"My stomach hurts. The toilet is far away from here." I rolled my eyes hoping to find the nearest toilet.

"There's a toilet nearby."

"Is it true?" I said, enthusiastic.

Celia answered with a low nod.

"Where's the toilet?"

"Over there."

Celia said that while pointing to our right.

"Just go straight there," she said explaining. I followed the direction she pointed. It looks like there is a toilet there because I saw that there was a building.

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute."

Celia nodded again without a word.

I walked in the direction Celia pointed. It's very quiet around here, with not a single person passing by. My stomach was getting queasy so I quickened my pace.

I found a building that is quite worn and not maintained. Judging from the nameplate on the door, the building is indeed a toilet. The door was tightly closed. Many cobwebs filled the roof of the building. Because I couldn't hold back the heartburn, I couldn't help but go into the toilet.

I opened the door. The smell wafted out until my reflexes covered my nose. It's also very dirty here. I found a booth, and without thinking, I went inside.

However, just being in the booth for a while, I felt a strange feeling. Even though the toilet in this toilet was very dirty, after flushing it with water, I sat up. Unraveling the skirt and opening the pants. This twisted pain instantly disappeared after I removed the contents from the stomach. But, suddenly... I felt the cold hit my skin and made my hair goosebumps. I also feel pain in my head. I know this omen because actually, I have a secret. I have a special ability that people call the sixth sense.

Since childhood I could feel the presence of spirits, I would feel tremendous pain in my head if there were spirits near me. Even though I often feel their presence, it's fortunate that I've never seen a sight of them once.

Right now, I'm feeling an awful lot of pain in my head, there's no mistake that this is a sign that there are spirits or ghosts near me. This pain feels stronger than usual. Maybe because the ghost is very close. I became more convinced when I felt the hair on my neck getting goosebumps. My body is cold to the point of shivering. The pain in my head was unbearable anymore, so I rushed to wash it with water and then put on my pants. I only have one wish, and that is to get out of here. However ...

I froze when I felt something in the form of cold liquid dripping on my skin. After I noticed, to my surprise I realized that the liquid was dark red like very dirty blood. The liquid was constantly dripping from above. I want to know the source of this liquid. Although afraid, I dared to lift my head to look up. And ...

How shocked I was when I saw a creature hovering right above my head. Only the upper body is visible because the lower half is cut off by the wall. The creature was a woman, her eyes bulged with a face so terrible because it was full of wounds covered in blood. Her mouth was open, bleeding non-stop. It was the blood from her mouth that hit my skin earlier. Her hair is so long that it almost reaches me. All my life, only now I have seen such a scary creature.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...!!!"

I screamed at the top of my lungs and ran as fast as I could out of the toilet cubicle. I kept running until I didn't realize there was someone outside the toilet, we collided and fell on the floor simultaneously.

"Huh, why are you running around? What are you doing in the toilet?"

The woman I accidentally bumped into seemed to be a teacher. I am so relieved to meet her here. However, the cold aura hit my skin again, as well as the pain in my head. Goosebumps goose bumps along with the body shivering violently. I'm sure this ominous aura is coming from behind. With broken movements, I turned my head back. I didn't know how to react now because the ghost's face was right in front of mine. So close that our faces almost touched.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

I rushed to the back of the teacher's body. I hid behind her back while trying to peek ahead. Fear hit me again, seeing the ghost still floating in the same place. Yes, floating because her feet do not touch the floor.

"Hey ... what are you doing?" asked the teacher while turning to me.

"D-didn't you see it?"

"What do you see?"

"Over there, there's a ghost of a very scary woman. Her face is covered in blood, she came out of the toilet wall."

I said that while pointing my index finger at the ghost.

The teacher remained silent without saying a word, I'm sure she didn't believe me, because, in this modern era, it's rare for people to still believe in stories about ghosts.

"Is it true that the ghost is in front of us now?"

The teacher's question took me by surprise. Could she believe it?

"Y-yes. She's right in front of us. I don't understand why she followed all the way here."

"She followed you?"

"That's it. I told you the ghost came out of the wall in the toilet."

The teacher walked away from me, who knows what she will do?

She kept walking forward apparently wanting to get closer to the ghost.

"Is this where the ghost is?" she asked as she stood not too far from the ghost.

"No. Go further. Mrs, don't go there. That ghost is very scary. She must be dangerous."

The teacher ignored my words and continued walking toward the ghost. However, just before she arrived at the place where the ghost was floating, the ghost just disappeared.

"Mrs...the ghost has disappeared," I said, telling her.

The teacher stopped walking. I turned around intending to return to where my classmates were.

"Hey ... your name is Leslie from class 2B right?"

But failed because the teacher's voice was playing again. Out of courtesy, I turned back to face her.

"Yes, that's right. How did you know?"

"Hm ... no, yes you can go already."

Frowning confused, I finally walked away. Leaving the teacher who was standing still and staring at me.